Jordan Romano’s season has taken a sharp turn in Colorado, and for the first time in a while, the former Blue Jays closer is giving a team real value out of the bullpen again.
Romano signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason after spending 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he went 2-4 with an 8.23 ERA across 49 games. The rebound never came in Anaheim. In 11 outings for the Angels, he was hit hard, finishing with an 0-2 record and a 10.13 ERA.
That rough stretch led to his being designated for assignment and then released in late April. From there, Romano took the long route back. He signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies in May, earned a call-up in July, and has looked much more like himself since arriving in the NL West.
In 16 appearances with Colorado, Romano has collected nine saves, struck out 15, and posted a 2.30 ERA. Those numbers have made him a useful piece in the Rockies’ bullpen and suggest he still has enough left to work as a major league closer.
He also hit a notable milestone for Canadian baseball. His most recent save was the 126th of his MLB career, moving him into third place all-time among Canadian relievers.
Jordan Romano has 126 career saves which is 3rd all-time for Canadians.
Top two: @EricGagne38 187 saves @JohnAxford 144 saves
Keep the chase going Jordan! @baseballcanada @Rockies pic.twitter.com/MOtwqv9W4S
- Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 🇨🇦⚾️ (@CDNBaseballHOF) August 26, 2026
A change of scenery has clearly helped Romano, who has gone from rough runs with the Phillies and Angels to a much steadier role with the Rockies. If he keeps pitching like this the rest of the way, he could set himself up for a strong offseason, whether that means an extension in Colorado or a trip to free agency.
Romano’s track record with the Blue Jays still explains why there was so much interest in him in the first place. From 2020 through 2023, he was a dependable late-inning arm, finishing each of those seasons with a 2.90 ERA or better. He saved 36 games in both 2022 and 2023 and made the All-Star Game in each of those seasons.
His final year in Toronto was much tougher. In 2024, the 6-foot-5 right-hander appeared in just 15 games, going 1-2 with eight saves, 13 strikeouts, and a 6.59 ERA. His last outing for the Blue Jays came in late May, and he later underwent right elbow surgery before being officially shut down in September.
There may be another reason the Rockies have been a better fit. Colorado bullpen coach Matt Buschmann was also in Toronto during Romano’s best seasons there.
For now, Romano is simply trying to finish strong and keep building on the rebound he’s started in Colorado. What comes next, and whether that leads to another strong contract this winter, will be worth watching.
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It is the kind of decision that carries real weight in a season where every lineup card gets scrutinized, because moving Guerrero lower would change the shape of the offense without necessarily solving the larger issue. Schneider has pointed out that a drop in the order could simply mean fewer chances at the plate, not less pressure or a quick fix, so the Jays are sticking with their star and hoping the approach eventually looks more like the version that has carried them before. [Read more 🡒]